Tension over Hong Kong is rising
HONG KONG — China announced Friday that it no longer would recognize certain British travel documents in retaliation for the U.K.’s decision last year to grant potentially millions of Hong Kong residents visas and eventually a path to citizenship.
The announcement, which came hours after Britain declared a formal start date for its new visa program, was the latest escalation of tensions between the two countries over the fate of Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to Chinese control in 1997.
After Beijing moved to impose a national security law on Hong Kong last summer that gave authorities sweeping powers to curtail dissent, Britain accused China of violating its promise to grant Hong Kong 50 years of semi-autonomy.
The British government said in June that it would create a special visa pathway for holders of British National (Overseas) passports, a unique category created for Hong Kongers before the 1997 transfer of power.
Under the new rules, Hong Kong residents who had applied for BN(O) status before the handover would be eligible for a special visa that would entitle them to live, work or study in the United Kingdom for up to five years. After an additional year, they would be allowed to apply for citizenship.
The British government estimated that there were 2.9 million BN(O) citizens in Hong Kong, along with 2.3 million dependents who would be eligible to move with them, although it was unclear how many residents actually would seek to emigrate. Not all BN(O) citizens have BN(O) passports, but they are eligible to apply for them.
“We have honored our profound ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong, and we have stood up for freedom and autonomy,” British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said in a statement Friday, alongside the announcement that applications for the new pathway would open Sunday.
Britain’s plan had incensed Beijing, which quickly warned of potential retaliation.
On Friday, Chinese government officials made clear they saw the new visa rules as a direct challenge to their sovereignty.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said at a news conference that the plan was an effort to turn Hong Kong residents into second-class British citizens, according to a write-up of his remarks by CCTV, China’s state broadcaster.
China will stop recognizing BN (O) passports as valid travel or identifying documents Sunday, Zhao said, adding China “reserved the right to take further actions.”
It was not immediately clear whether the announcement was more symbolic or substantive. BN (O) passport holders can also hold Hong Kong passports or other foreign passports, which are not affected by the measure.